Lighter



Jan. 21, 1969 J. GENOUD 3,423,160

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United States Patent 3,423,160 LIGHTER Jean Genoud, Saint-Cyr-au-Mont dOr, Rhone, France, assignor to Ets. Genoud & Cie, Venissieux, France Filed Aug. 22, 1966, Ser. No. 573,926 U.S. Cl. 431-276 2 Claims Int. Cl. F23q 2/02 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A lighter having a casing which supports a valve controlling the escape of fuel and a flint member for igniting the fuel. A lever is loosely supported on a fulcrum between two lugs on which a metal cap is supported.

This invention relates to lighters and more particularly to lighters employing volatile fuels adapted for releasing ignitable gaseous vapors.

Lighters employing fuels of the above-noted type are presently available in different forms. Generally, they employ valve members which selectively obturate or clear an associated opening through which said vapors are discharged for purposes of ignition. Due, however, to certain difficulties with their respective valve members, known lighters of this category have met with only limited success and it is one object of the invention to provide improvements in this respect.

In a particular lighter of the above-noted type, some difiiculty is caused by making constant engagement with the associated valve member. This, it has now been determined, causes inadvertent fuel leakage which prematurely renders the lighter inoperative. It is proposed to avoid this problem, in accordance with another object of the invention, by the provision of an improved valve assembly and control which are well adapted to insure against any leakage problem.

A further object of the invention is to provide an economical design and, as will be shown, the invention is so successful in this'regard that lighters made in accordance'therewith are actually disposable. This means that after a single charge of fuel is used up, a lighter of the invention may be discarded since its cost is so little.

Briefly, to achieve the above and other objects of the invention, there is proposed a lighter structure comprising a casing which defines an internal chamber constituting a fuel reservoir and which is provided with an opening connecting with said chamber and through which the fuel is dischargeable for purposes of ignition. In addition, the lighter of the invention comp-rises a valve means, support means, control means, and ignition means in operative combination such that the support means yieldably supports the valve means in a position to block the discharge of fuel through the aforesaid opening. The control means, in accordance with the invention, has actuating and idle conditions, the arrangement being such that the valve means, with said control means in idle condition, assumes a position to block the discharge of fuel from the aforesaid opening. In this idle state, the valve means is positionally independent of the control means. The arrangement is also such that the control means, in its actuating condition, engages and displaces the valve means to clear the opening for the discharge of fuel.

According to a feature of the invention, the control means comprises a fulcrum on the casing and a lever pivoted on the fulcrum. The lever includes a forked end straddling the valve means and engageable therewith and a manually operable end adjacent the ignition means for operation therewith.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the support means includes an insert threadably engaged 3,423,160 Patented Jan. 21, 1969 with the casing and including an opening via which the opening in the casing communicates with ambient atmosphere for the discharge of the aforesaid fuel. The valve means is accommodated in the insert with a spring providing for yieldably urging the valve means to a position obturating the opening in the insert to prevent the discharge of fuel from the casing.

According to still another feature of the invention, the lighter comprises an adjustment means which engages the aforesaid insert to adjust the threadable engagement of the same in the casing and thereby, as will be shown, the compression of a stack of washers associated with the valve means. This stack includes one or more washers of compressible filtering material and one of metal to compress the filtering washers to a varying extent.

Yet another feature of the invention relates to providing, integrally with the casing, a portion defining a bore in which is accommodated a flint device as will hereafter be described in greater detail.

Still further in accordance with the invention, a sleeve is provided which surrounds and is fixed to a stem comprised by the aforesaid valve means, this sleeve including a radial flange adapted for engagement by the aforesaid lever, this lever being loosely trapped between the flange and the casing of the lighter in order to have a position of repose in which no force is exerted on the valve means.

A principal aspect of the invention resides in providing the casing in the form of an elongated cylindrical member which is of a light permeable plastic material and which constitutes in major part the outside of the lighter by which the lighter is manually grasped.

The above and further objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a diametral section of a lighter provided in accordance with said preferred embodiment of the invention; and

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines II-II of FIG. 1.

The major portion of the lighter in respect of volume and exterior surface area -is constituted by a casing 10 which is preferably of elongated cylindrical form and is preferably fabricated of a suitable plastic which is light permeable so that the contents of the casing can be readily viewed. Within the casing 10 is defined an internal chamber 12 in which the fuel of the lighter is stored. This fuel, which may be of known type, is preferably a volatile fuel adapted for releasing ignitable gaseous vapors into the ambient atmosphere when the lighter is operated.

The lower end 14 of the casing 10 is closed by means of a plug 16 having an opening 18 which is closed by a stopper 20. The stopper 20 is either of plastic material or preferably of a metal material, whereas the plug 16 is of a plastic such that upon insertion of the stopper 20 this element deforms the plastic material surrounding the opening 18 whereby a permanent or semi-permanent closure is provided. The reason for this is that the lighter of the invention is, as has been noted above, of such economical construction as to require only one loading of fuel which when exhausted need not be replaced inasmuch as the lighter can then be discarded.

It will, of course, be appreciated that the lighter of the invention can also take a form involving the use of more expensive materials, whereby it might be desirable to retain the lighter and provide for .a recharging of the fuel or even the use of a replaceable cartridge.

In any event, the bottom of the casing is covered by an end cap 22 preferably fabricated of a metal which frictionally engages in a groove 24 provided at the lower end of casing 10. This provides a suitable bottom surface for the lighter so that the lighter is well adapted for resting on a surface such as a table or the like.

At its upper end, the casing is provided with a valve means 26, a support means 28, a control means 30, and an ignition means 32.

The valve means 26 is adapted to cooperate with an opening 34 provided at the upper end of chamber 12 and through which the gaseous vapors can escape to a position whereat they are ignited. In said opening 34 is engaged a wick 36 of a cotton-like or felt-like material having such characteristics that liquid fuel from the internal chamber 12 will be brought adjacent opening 34 for discharge as described in greater detail hereinafter.

Valve means 26 is accommodated within the support means 28, and more particularly within a bore 38 provided in an insert 40 which will be described in greater particularity hereinafter.

The valve means 26 more particularly comprises a stem 42 of elongated cylindrical form and on which is provided a cylindrical guide portion 44 which is snugly but slidably accommodated within the bore 38. At the lower end of the stem 42 is provided .a resilient pad 46, the function of which is to cooperate with an opening 48 provided in the lower end of insert 40 so that discharge from the internal chamber 12 can be terminated.

Below support means 28 and superposed above opening 34 is a stack 49 of washers or disc-like elements, the bottom one of which is metal with a centrally located mesh aligned with opening 34. The disc-like elements above the metal one are felt or like permeable and compressible material through which the fuel can pass in the form of vapor and/or fluid. The rate of fuel feed is controlled by adjusting the squeezing of the compressible elements to render them more or less permeable to the fuel.

The stem 42 is provided with a radial channel 50 opening into .an axial channel 52 which extends upwardly through the entire length of the stem 42 so that vapors will be discharged from an opening 54. The path of the escaping gaseous vapors is via opening 34, disc elements 49 and opening 48 through the clearance between the insert 40 and the lower end 56 of stem 42 and thence via radial channel 50 into axial channel 52 and thence out of the opening 54 the position whereat the vapors can be ignited and consumed in a flame.

The insert 40 is accommodated within a portion 60 integral with the casing and is threadably engaged .as indicated at 62. A resilient washer 64 is provided between the casing and said insert to prevent the escape of fuel, and at the upper end of the insert 40 is provided a metal washer 66 against which bears a helical spring 68 acting between the insert 40 and more particularly the washer 66, and the cylindrical guide 44 on the stem 42. The stem 42 is thus urged downwardly bringing the resilient pad 46 into position to obturate the opening 48 and thus prevent escape of the gaseous vapors originating in the internal chamber 12.

The threaded engagement of the insert 40 with the easing 10 makes the insert 40 adjustable with respect to the casing. For adjustment purposes, the upper end of the insert 40 as indicated at 70 is provided with a hexagonal or polygonal form for engagement by an adjusting means 72 which is in the form of a wrench-like member. It will be understood that adjustment of the wrenchlike member 72 will cause a rotation of insert 40 which, due to the threaded engagement at 62, will place the washers 49 under more or less compression, thereby controlling the permeability of the washers and the rate of flow of gaseous vapors from chamber 12.

At the top of the casing 10 is provided an integral portion 80 in which is defined a bore 82 parallel to stem 42 and within which fits a metallic guide 84 which -is of hollow construction. Within the guide 84, which is part of ignition means 32, is positioned a flint 86 which is urged upwardly by means of a helical spring 88. A flint wheel 90 is positioned above the flint 86 and traps the same in the guide 84. Upon operation of the wheel 90,

the flint 86 is caused to give off sparks which will cause the ignition of vapors escaping from the aforesaid opening 54-. The guide 84 is moreover provided with a radial flange 92 which sandwiches a member 94 against the top of the casing, permanent positioning of the guide 84 being effected by the provision of teeth 96. Member 94 is the joining portion of a stirrup having upstanding legs drilled to accommodate the shaft 92 of the flint wheel having a drive wheel 93 .and a striker wheel 93', the drive and striker wheels being locked for joint rotation by a pin 91'. The pin 91' is not essential and the drive and striker wheels can be affixed by pressure fitting the same together.

The top of the stem 42 is provided with a peripheral groove and encircling the top of the stem 42 is a sleeve 102. Sleeve 102 is crimped into position in the groove 100 so as to be fixed relative to stem 42 and the sleeve 102 is provided with a radial flange 104 to be engaged by the control means 30.

The control means 30 comprises a lever 106 having one end 108 in the form of a fork which straddles the stem 42, and is loosely trapped between the flange 104 and the top of casing 10 or the metal washer 66. The other end 110 of the lever 106 is the manually operable end and it is positioned directly beneath the wheel 90 so that the thumb of the operator in slipping from the wheel 90 engages end 110 and causes the lever 106 to be actuated.

Extending from the top of the casing 10 is a fulcrum 112 on which the lever 106 is pivoted. The lever 106 rests loosely on the fulcrum 110 and is provided with an opening 114 through which the aforesaid guide 84 extends in upward direction.

The thickness of end 108 of lever 106 is such that the lever can fit between flange 104 and metal washer 66 as aforesaid, without necessarily engaging either of these members. Accordingly, the lever 106 exerts no force on the valve means 26 when the lever is in idle condition. Upon being actuated however, the lever 106 pivots around the fulcrum 112 and engages the flange 104 lifting the same whereby stem 42 moves upwardly. Pad 46 is consequently withdrawn from opening 48 and fuel escapes from the internal chamber 12 as aforesaid, thereafter exiting via the opening 54. As the wheel 90 will generally be simultaneously operated, sparks are caused to issue to the vicinity of the opening 54 whereby the gaseous vapors are ignited and a flame initiated.

Extending upwardly from the casing 10 and possibly integral therewith are extensions or ears and 122, the outer configuration of which is arcuate. A shield 124, preferably of metallic material, is provided which engages with extensions 120 and 122, and thus shields the valve means and the major portion of the wheel 90 and lever 106 from dirt and other disturbances. Shield 124 is provided with an opening 126 through which the wheel 90 and the lever 106 partially protrude for purposes of operation.

From what has been stated above, it will be seen that the casing 10 supports all of the operative members of the lighter provided in accordance with the invention, and that the exterior of the lighter is provided in major portion by the casing 10, smaller portions of this exterior being provided by the end cap 22 as Well as by the shield 124.

At the same time, it will be appreciated that there is no danger of fuel being permitted to escape from the chamber 10 due to forces maintained on the lever 110 and operative to cause the stem 42 to free or clear opening 48. As a consequence of the arrangement of the invention, the spring 68 is the sole member operative on the stem 42 during the idle condition of the lighter whereby the valve means 26 assures that no undesired loss of fluid can take place.

It will be appreciated that substantial economy is provided by arranging the ignition supporting means and the valve supporting means integrallyat the top of the casing 10 with the control means 30 being supported on the fulcrum 112 as well as being in part retained loosely on the hollow guide 84 of the ignition means.

Since the bulk of the supporting elements are fabricated of plastic integral with or part of the casing 10, manufacturing problems are reduced to a minimum and it will be obvious from the above description that an assembly of the elements of the invention is a procedure which lends itself readily to mass production techniques.

There will now be obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications and variations of the structure set forth above.

These modifications and variations will not, however, depart from the scope of the invention if defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A lighter comprising a casing of molded plastic material defining an internal chamber within which fuel can be stored, said casing being provided with an opening connecting with said chamber and through which said fuel is dischargeable for purposes of ignition, a valve means support means yieldably supporting said valve means in a position to block the discharge of fuel through said opening, control means having actuating and idle conditions; said valve means, with said control means in idle condition, assuming said position to block the discharge of fuel through said opening, said control means in actuating condition engaging and displacing said valve means to clear said opening for the discharge of fuel; and ignition means to ignite the thusly discharged fuel, said control means comprising a fulcrum on and integral with said casing and a lever pivoted on said fulcrum, said lever including a forked end straddling said valve means and engageable therewith and a manually operable end adjacent said ignition means for operation therewith, said casing including an integral portion defining a bore, a guide in said bore, a flint in said guide, a spring in said bore urging said flint outwardly through said guide, and a flint wheel mounted on said guide adjacent said manually operable end and trapping said flint in said guide and adapted for engaging the same to cause sparks, the casing being an elongated cylindrical member constituting in major part the outside of said lighter, the cylindrical member being provided with an end opening for the charging of fuel, said lighter further comprising a stopper in said end opening and deforming the plastic material for at least substantially permanent engagement therewith, extensions on the cylindrical member straddling said lever, and a cylindrical shield engaged on said extensions and shielding said valve means and the major portions of said wheel and lever, said shield having an opening through which said wheel and lever partly protrude, and said lever being pivoted substantially at the mid-point between the axes of said valve means and guide.

2. A lighter as claimed in claim 1 comprising an insert adjustably threaded into a portion of said casing, said valve means being positioned in said insert, said insert including a polygonal end portion outside of said casing and said adjustment means being a wrench-like member engaging said polygonal end portion.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,063,276 11/1962 Cassan 677.l 3,122,907 3/1964 Gilberton 67-7.1 3,141,317 7/1964 Segawa 67-7.1 3,149,484 9/ 1964 Kobayashi 67-7.1 3,154,935 11/1964 Ayres 677.1 3,174,309 3/1965 Kobayashi 67-7.1 3,184,931 5/1965 Yoshino 67--7.1 3,224,234 12/1965 Zellweger 677.1

FOREIGN PATENTS 693,283 8/1964 Canada.

EDWARD J. MICHAEL, Primary Examiner. 

